LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

p 16 ' US ' a 7 

Chap. Copyriglit No. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 





/T C-, /o. <xO KNrXsuL^ ^ 



CARMINA SACERDOTIS 



BY 

REV. JOHN H. DOOLEY 



^ 



New York 
WILLIAM H. YOUNG & COMPANY 

27 BARCLAY STREET 
1899 



^ COPIES RECEIVED. 

Library cf Cengret&j^ 
Office of the 

DEC 8-18''-i 

Register cf Copyrfghfg, 



48571 

COPYRinHT, 1899, 

By JOHN H. DOOLEY. 



SECOND copy. 






TO 

MY DEAR FRIEND AND 

COMPANION 

THE REV. JOHN JOSEPH MALLON 

THESE VERSES ARE 
DEDICATED. 



PREFACE. 

The life of the Catholic priest, espe- 
cially if he is a secular, is so much occupied 
with clerical duties, sick calls, office hours, 
etc., not forgetting the large number of 
social obligations, that it may seem not 
incredible to say : '' He is indeed a mul- 
tiplied being." Consequently, the fev/ 
moments spared to ourselves are a price- 
less boon. Some such moments have 
given the writer an opportunity to put 
together a few thoughts on various 
matters, which he presents to his friends. 
He hopes that if they show not the per- 
fection seen in other books, at least they 
will serve to bring back pleasant memories 
and help to renew some noble affections 
of heart and mind. 

Respectfully in Christ, 
The Author. 
St. Ann's Rbctory, y^^w^, 1899. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Dedication i 

The Salutation 2 

The Presentation 3 

Mary, Queen of Heaven 5 

St. Anne 7 

St. Joseph 9 

St. Gabriel 11 

Christmas Sonnet 13 

Easter-Tide 15 

" What Shall New Year's Bring .? " 16 

In Lenten Time 18 

The Holy Name 20 

Sweetest Names 22 

Faith 23 

Hope 25 

Love 27 

Way of the Cross 29 

The Church 34 

*' The Chalice Them Accord " 36 

Charity 38 

The Vicar of Christ 39 

" A Mother's Tears " 41 

" Ordained " 43 

Before Baptism 46 

A Secret Prayer 4S 

ill 



iv CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Mother 56 

The Seminary Bells 57 

A Picture 59 

St. Augustine 60 

Sentinel Silent 61 

" Plow Came so Strange a Spell " 63 

In Memoriam 65 

Portrait of an Infidel 67 

To a Bighop-Elect 68 

The Orphanage 70 

To Reverend W. A. O 72 

Unheeded Cries 74 

Symbol of Arbor Day 75 

Consecration of Mgr. F 78 

Dives 80 

Farewell 81 

Our Father 8^ 

Queer Weather 88 

March 89 

A Summer's Night 90 

Autumn 92 

A Subtle Thief 94 

Autumn is here 96 

Winter 97 

To the Departed Year 100 

The Tri-States Rock 102 

Our Nation's Flag 105 

The Glorious Fourth loS 

To the Knights of Columbus no 

Our Dewey 112 

The Statue of Liberty 115 

Anarchy 118 

At the Fair 1 20 

Ingersollian 122 



CONTENTS. V 

PAGE. 

Translation. (Ode from Horace) 124 

A Betrothal 1 27 

Others 1 29 

English Version. (Horace, lib. iv.) 130 

Arbor Day 132 

Friendship's Pledge 135 

The Spiritual Director. (To Rev. M. J. C.) 136 

The Nurse Girl 138 

Who is He ? ... 140 

The Class of '98. (At P. J.) For a Friend 142 

The Officious Man 144 

Sunday Funerals 147 

A Tramp's Song 1 49 

Baby's Grief 151 

To Addie 152 

His Last Letter 154 

Eugene Field. (In Memoriam.) 1 58 

Class Song 160 

Old Williamsbridge 161 

Our Books 163 

" Homeward " 164 

Woodlawn 165 

A Memory 1 67 

School-Days (At Mosholn School) 169 

Two Travellers 172 

Erin 174 

Lines to A H . (In Album) 178 

The Vigilant. (Victor) 179 

Good-Night : . . . 181 

The Ocean 182 

An Old Story 1S4 



CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



DEDICATION. 

To the fairest of the fair. 

To the Queen of night and day, 
To a maiden, jewel rare, 

My heart shall sing its lay. 
To thee, Queen of Heaven, Mary 

Mother dear, 
0, teach my love forever to rise and 
dare all fear. 

In the Ang-el land on hiofh, 

Where Thy Son doth dwell with 

Thee 

I would ask before I die 

That Thou hear and answer me. 

To Thee, Queen of Heaven ! Mary 

Mother dear, 

These lines are dedicated, by one who 

would be near. 

1 



CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE SALUTATION. 

From Spirit land an Angel came 
Seeking the fairest flower of earth ; 

And many saw, but none compared 
With the lily blooming on Juda's 

hearth. 
" Ave ! " spoke the Vision fair. 
" Hail ! Thou Virgin lily rare, 
Hail ! protectress of mankind, 
Listen to my Angel prayer." 

" Henceforth be Thou forever blest ! 
Bearing within Thy Virgin's girth 

A Son, "The Word of God/' made 
flesh, 
As the Lord had willed at Nature's 

birth. 
"• Hail ! Virgin of our race. 
Thou alone art filled with grace, 
Thou alone of womankind 
Shall our mother Eve replace." 



THE PRESENTATION. 



THE PRESENTATION. 

Oh, sweetest, fairest maid, earth born. 
In God's own temple thou must lead 
Thy virgin soul ; and like the morn 
Drive off dark Night, that binds men's 
souls. 
In thought, and word and vicious 
deed. 

0, Sacred Temple ! Holy Shrine, 
Thou hast within a jewel rare; 
According to the Will Divine 
Thou art become an ano:el home 

Where purest hopes shall rise in 
prayer. 

Ye parents ! Anne and Joachim, 

Could we conceive your happy souls 
Within our minds so dull and dim. 
No sorrows dare our peace disturb ; 
Thrice happy they whom God con- 
doles ! 



4 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

To thee, most Heavenly Queen w© 
pray, 

In thine our heart to have a place. 
Protect us, guide us, day by day, 
That in Thy Presentation we 

May learn to seek a Mother's grace. 



MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN. 



MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN. 

Where shall we turn when dire op- 
pressed 
By storms of life and feelings sad ; 
And who will be our friend in need 
To guide us right and make us glad ? 
But Mary, Queen of Heaven. 

No matter what our grievance be 

Or great the load that weighs us down, 
Let her but hear our plaintive cries 
Then vanish fear and sig^h and 
frown. 
With Mary, Queen of Heaven. 

She is the warmth that dries the tears, 
Slow trickling from the mourner's 
eye; ^ 
She is the smile that breaks the frown, 
She is the hope of all who die. 
Our Mary Queen of Heaven. 



6 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Her soul bejewelled with the love 
That God alone, her Son, can give 

For us is ever brimming o'er 

That we may love like her and live. 
Like Mary, Queen of Heaven. 

Our lives are spent in useless ways 
And wasted on most sinful things ; 

Oh, Mother Sweet ! correct us now, 
And save us from the future's stings, 
Oh, Mary, Queen of Heaven ! 



ST. ANNE. 



ST. ANNE. 

The wisest plans of men seem small, 
If placed beside an Angel's task ; 
While nothingness would 'pear their all 
Should they in God's own sunshine 
bask ; 

So why explain, 
Or why complain, 
When unknown things our minds appall. 

A woman born in royal blood 

Through many years of marriage life, 
Knew not the dreams of motherhood ; 
Rebuked, forsooth as useless wife. 
Yet God decreed 
That from her seed, 
To men would flow His grace — a flood. 

When barrenness forever set 
Its seal upon her human frame 



8 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Through grief her eyes were often Avet, 
And bowed her head m very shame ; 
Her soul was filled, 
Her being thrilled, 
To think that God w^ould bless her 
name. 

His miracle most surely wrought 

A wondrous change in nature's plan, 
Her life with blessings now is fraught, 
Her story told from man to man. 
Behold her child ! 
God's Mother mild, 
The gift of Heav'n to St. Anne. 



ST. JOSEPH. 



ST. JOSEPH. 

FEAST DAY, MARCH 19. 

Blest hour ! that comes to us this festal 

day, 
That we might praise, in glad accord, 
The foster-father of Our Lord. 
That we might show by act and word 
The love that moves the heart to pray. 

How like the pearl before it meets the 

gaze, 
Thy saintly virtues hidden well 
Beneath the rough unpolished shell 
Of poverty, and simple life. 
With Christ, Thou spent Thy earthly 

days. 

How like the star, at first unknown, 

unseen. 
Until with purest brilliant light. 



10 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Then other stars more pure more bright, 
Thy hfe upon us grew, and now. 
Appears alone to shme serene. 

Hail ! saintly Joseph, let Thy soul 

sublime 
Untainted with the things of earth, 
All pure and chaste from very birth, 
Grow fonder of us, for Thou art 
The Christian's patron for all time. 



ST. GABRIEL. U 



ST. GABRIEL. 

At the midoiglit hour, 
When the land was hushed, 

And Peace had settled everywhere, 
An Angel came to a maiden pure 

Kneeling alone in silent prayer. 

A most beautiful sight, 
Was the maiden rare. 

With all her thoug^its on God above. 
So that the Angel had to pause 

Dreading to check her sighs of love. 

When the prayer was o'er. 
At her feet he bowed, 

And told the message he'd to tell ; 
And heard the sweet words from her 
lips. 

Precious more than gems they fell. 



12 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

With an Angel's grace, 
From the maiden went 

This messenger of God and man. 
While slumbering mortals took their 
rest 
Knowing naught of the Master's 
plan. 



CHRISTMAS SONNET. 13 



CHRISTMAS SONNET. 

What say the midnight bells to frost 
and snow. 
As peal on peal re-echo thro' the 

night ? 
Wherefore the joy that fills the 
heavenly light 
And sheaths in brighter lustre every 

glow ? 
The very winds seem crazed with glee, 
and blow 
Right merry whistling tunes o'er vale 

and height. 
It cannot be that Madness, nay, nor 
Fight, 
On wings ethereal, seek to welcome 
Woe? 

Hear thou ! 'Tis Love, in purest, holi- 
est sense, 
They, greeting give ; but unrestrained 
and free, 



14 CARMINA SxVCERDOTIS. 

Love's symbol Clirist, — forth from 
whose might mimense, 
In fond obedience to th' eterne decree 
They've come. Let, then, their joy for- 
ever hence 
Live on and fill the world with jubilee. 



EASTER-TIDE. 15 



EASTER-TIDE. 

^^ He risen is, He is not here." 
O, words that come from angel lips, 
That mean so much to those who hear, 
And bring such hope to human souls, 
To fill their lives, their efforts cheer. 

Ha ! Death, thou Victor, vanquished 

art. 
No more a terror shalt thou have 
For us, who love the Sacred Heart. 
With Satan you may keep your place, 
For in Christ's Hfe we have our part. 



16 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



''WHAT SHALL NEW-YEAR'S 
BRING?" 

Yes! what shall New- Year's bring to 

them 

Unmindful of their neighbor's life, 

Who give their talents, strength and 

years 

To hold first place in social strife ? 



Who look on poverty as crime, 

And scorn to meet the simpler folk, 
While round them strew with sinful 
hand 
Oppressions worse than any slavery's 
yoke. 

And what shall New- Year's bring to 
them 
Like princes decked, for outward show. 
Who inward are like noisome tombs 
Where dead men's bones are resting 
low? 



"WHAT SHALL NEW-YEAR'S BRING?" 17 

To Y/liom king " Pleasure " means their 
all, 
And " empty show " their greatest 
gain, 
These are their idols ; what care they 
About the world of want and pain I 

Perhaps not much shall New- Year's 
bring- 
To these, and yet sufficient give^ 

For nature bows to only One^ 
Who tells us when to die or live. 

And when He speaks, not soul alone 
Shall answer to its Master's call. 

Why, then, these vain pursuits of life 
If finally v^e must lose all ? 

O, what shall New- Year's bring to us ? 

We cannot say. Yet this we know, 
^^ To love our God and neighbor well " 

Will bring much joy on earth below. 



18 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



IN LENTEN TIME. 

When loudest sound the merry bells of 
time 
111 keeping with the festal days at hand, 
They gave the v/arning, fatal knells 
that brand 
With sorrow e'en the sweetness of their 
chime, 
If ill the heart too long allowed to 

stand, 
And dangers bring to souls through- 
out the land, 
Foro'ettino; God's decree : " Thou art 
forever Mine." 

They rang with merry peals of Christ- 
mas joy, 
To tell that Christ has come to us 
again ; 

Yet, though their grandest music would 
employ 



IN LENTEN TIME. 19 

Our love eternally ; we'll feel no pain, 
When silent they, if we all sin destroy 
In Lenten time, and with Our Lord re- 
main. 



20 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE HOLY NAME. 

Before the storm in mightiness ap- 
pears 
All nature seems to tremble as in 
fright ; 
Mad rushing of the leaves on high ; 
the clouds 
Of sand unnatural, take a skyward 
flight, 
Bewildered denizens of air in flocks 
All scattered, rushing blindly here 
and there, 
Add more and more to mingled craze 
and fear, 
While clouds of night surround the 
wind-tossed air. 
At length, the blinding flash of light 
doth rend 
The frowning sky, — and smash the 
mighty oak 



THE HOLY NAME. 21 

Into a thousand bits. Like cannon's 

roar 
The thunders are that boom without 

the smoke. 
We, quaking in our fear at such dis- 
play 
Of mightiness and power, with profit 

may 
Consider well that this is nature's gift 
From God. And only in another way 
May danger come to justly strike the 

one 
Who, in contempt, reviles His 

Saviour's name. 
For on this earth, in heaven, and in 

hell. 
Must bend the knee in reverence or 

in shame. 



22 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



SWEETEST NAMES. 

Memory, within her precincts, holds in 

veneration sweet, 
Names that we are proud to utter, 

names that we should oft repeat. 
Jesus 'mong them first to greet us, 

name of Him who set us free, 
Name that angels, men and devils must 

adore on bended knee. 
Mary's name, of women sv/eetest, next 

we love to hear expressed. 
Name of Her by Angels honored. 

Heaven's Queen, forever blest. 
Joseph's, always brings the mem'ry of 

the father gentle, poor, 
Honest, faithful, pious, tender, loving, 

dutiful and pure. 
" Jesus," '' Mary," " Joseph " ever 

with us precious names and dear. 
They should be our constant watch- 
word, in this vale of woe and fear. 



FAITH. 33 



FAITH. 



Away with falsehood and hypocrisy 
When light more brilliant than the 

high-noon sun 
Shall greet the slave and all who are 
undone 
With magic force and might to make 

them free. 
Arise ! ye mourners, send your humble 
plea 
To Him, the Ruler, the Almighty 

One. 
And though no previous efforts were 
begun 
On your part, he will send real charity. 

Confide in Him Who rules the Heavens 

above, 
E'en though your crimes outnumber 

sands of sea 
You will not want a friend in time of 

need, 



24 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Nor seek in vain the most entrancing 
love 
Which comes in gushing torrent hap- 

To wash away the dangers to our meed. 



HOPE. 25 



HOPE. 

With holy Job a portion let ns claim 
Of that inheritance unknown to sin ; 
'Twill be as sweetest music 'midst 
the din 
Of earthly discord; while its halcyon 

flame 
Illumination gives the honored name. 
The loss of health, of friends, of 

wealth, of kin 
Shall serve to waken thoughts that 
will have been 
The highest, noblest thoughts the mind 
can frame. 

Our needs shall make our trust cling 

closer still 
With confidence in Him Who guides 

the way. 
The tender little buds of faith shall 

grow 



26 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Into the blossoms that unnumbered fill 
The tree of life, to make the close of 

day 
Full destined to return with grander 

show. 



LOVE. 27 

LOVE. 

The gleam of sunlight flashing o'er the 

sea. 
The morning carols of the feathered 

flocks ; 
The creepers twining round the flinty 

rocks, 
The young brood romping o'er the ver- 
dant lea, 
The whispered hymn as passed from 

tree to tree ; 
The absent heart vv hose timid beating 

knocks, 
And wakes up feeling like the fearful 

shock 
Of force dynamic struggling to be free. 

And yet all these the merest shadows 

are 
Of love, that stirs the universe and gives 
All life and impetus to things terrene. 



28 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

The highest^ purest, greatest love by 
far 

Must come from God and in His essence 
lives ; 

He gave His life, His love, for love un- 
seen. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 29 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 

1 

Jesus is condemned to die. 

Saviour mine, as Thou dost go 
Sad in heart and filled with woe, 
I shall come and take my stand 
Captive, too, by rabble band. 

2 

Jesus receives the cross. 

I would fain become disgraced 
Seeing on my shoulders placed 
The cross of sin, that Thou must bear 
Meek and lowly as your share. 



Jesus falls the first time. 

In Thy fall I see my own 
Degradation, yet no moan 
From Thy sacred lips reveal 
Half the sorrow Thou must feel. 



30 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

4 
Jesus meets His mother. 

Look, Lord, Thy mother dear 
Filled with anguish, pain and fear 
Seeks Thee out, yet, I stand by, 
An unmoved sinner, till I die. 

5 
Simon the Cyrenean helps carry the cross. 
Unlike Simon shall I be 
To relieve Thy misery ; 
Quick to bear the cruel goad. 
Quick to take Thy heavy load. 

6 
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. 
Though my want of Love is shown, 
Thou are not yet left alone ; 
Veronica, Thy good friend, 
Comes in pity to attend. 

7 
Jesus falls the second time. 
Earth again receives Thy fall, 
To remind us sinners all. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 31 

That, unless we live in Thee, 
Useless is our human plea. 

8 

Jesus consoles the ivomen of Jerusalem. 

Ne'er shall I forget Thy tones 
Spoken to the heart-wrung* moans : — 
" Women, weep ye, not for Me 
For yourselves and children plea." 



Jesus falls the third time. 

At the foot of Calvary's Mount, 
For the third time, they must count 
Thee as dead, — yet not so. 
Onward, upward. Thou wilt go. 

10 

Jesus is stripped of His garments. 

Shameless, now, they leave Thee there 
Naked, to the vulgar stare ; 
Thus my crimes have branded me 
" Sinner " — for Eternity. 



32 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

11 

Jesus is nailed to the cross. 

Cruel nails have pierced Thy flesh. 
Starting all Thy wounds afresh ; 
Tender Mother, turn thy face, 
Look not on our last disgrace. 



12 



Jesus dies on the cross. 

Let me hear that sad decree 
Crying out my sins to me. 
Let me look on that lone place, 
See the death that saves my race. 

13 

Jesus is taken doivn from the cross. 

Nicodemus, friend of God, 
Rest Him 'neath this bloodstained sod. 
Pray that I may come to Him 
When the foe threats life or limb. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 33 

14 
Jesus is laid in the sepulchre. 

Near his tomb my lot is cast, 
With His mother to the last. 
Then no harm may reach my side; 
Thy love, her love, will abide. 



34 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE CHURCH. 

There it stands, 

Raised up by hands 

That would not shirk 

The noble work 

Of giving praise and glory unto God. 

Firm and fast, 

And unsurpassed, 

It stems sin's tide, 

The demon's pride, 

Yet harbors sinners penitent within. 

Day and night 

For God and Right, 

Through ages past. 

From first to last, 

The true defender, tender of mankind. 

Even now. 
All must allow, 



THE CHURCH. 35 

Her strength remains, 

And still retains 

The ravagers and spoilers of the soul. 

Years shall come 

As troublesome, 

But, Kke the past, 

Shall speed as fast 

Directed by her mightiness and zeal. 

Church of Christ ! 
Whose worth, unpriced, 
Has made us all 
Look on man's fall 

As something that portrays our real 
worth. 

Dwell on for aye 
'Mid us of clay ; 
And teach alone. 
E'er life has flown, 

The doctrines and the lessons of Our 
Lord. 



36 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



"THE CHALICE THEM ACCORD." 

To My Class, June 25, '92. 

What matter now the world's deceit or 

praise ? 
Henceforth are cast to reahns externe 

of night 
The baubles sought so madly in the 

fight. 
Along life's year-paved way, on duty 

gaze 
Until the signal comes, — that day of 

days — 
When God shall stand His faithful on 

His Ridit. 

CD 

Such thoughts, youthful souls, shall 
be your might, 

Your shield 'gainst tempters to the sin- 
ful ways. 

And, to The Heart of hearts, — your 
sole reward. 



"THE CHALICE THEM ACCORD." 3? 

Let each day's off'ring bear within its 

cup 
Deeds of the purest love, 0, Gracious 

Lord! 
From Thy eternal throne, receive and 

sup. 
Reward their love ! Thy chalice them 

accord, 
Their virtues strengthen, and their 

hopes lift up ! 



38 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



CHARITY. 

One drop upon the parched lips, 
One morsel to the starving poor, 

One kindly word, one pleasant look, 
Can mortals' pains and evils cure. 

If we thro' life would only pause 
To ponder well this fact so clear. 

How much real good we all might do. 
How many hearts and homesteads 
cheer ! 

Think, then, how much we'll give to 
those 

Poor slaves of ev'ry ill and woe ! 
Think, how our merits are increased, 

Like seed that in good ground we sow. 



THE VICAR OF CHRIST. 39 



THE VICAR OF CHRIST. 

As we mingle with men, as we study 

their ways, 
Many lessons we learn that will last all 

our days, 
That can never be taught in the lines of 

a book, 
Yet may be seen just as clear as the fish 

in a brook. 

To the priest who is proving example 

for men, 
To the laity struggling in vain as they 

ken 
The worldlings around them in Vanity 

Fair, 
Pause for a moment, and you will be 

moved to declare 

There is one whom all classes, all par- 
ties, all creeds 

Must admit is the man for the times and 
the needs ; 



40 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Whose integrity proves him the far 

o-reater saint 
Simply because it's his goodness and 

kindness, not paint. 

He's at all times God-loving, obedient 

and kind 
The protector of Innocence, light for 

the blind ; 
The Good Shepherd of all, both the 

young and the old, 
0, may God grant many years to this 

head of His fold. 



A MOTHER'S TEARS." 41 



"A MOTHER'S TEARS." 

Adown the pallid cheeks incessant flow 
The burning tears ; they've flowed 

for years the same ; 
From depths unknown — a mother's 
heart — they came^ 
Then upward sweU to view, perhaps to 

Forgotten. Have I said forgotten ? 
No! 
For heavenly eyes beheld, and, ere 

the flame 
That rifts the darksome cloudmass 
comes, her fame 
And tears were borne beyond the lands 
of snow. 

A priest the sacred chalice holds aloft, 
Unknown to him his offering greater 
grows 'j 



42 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

A mother's tears are added, gentle, soft, 

By angels, till it almost overflows. 
Thy prayers, good mother, have been 
heard, and oft 
Thy priestly son shall bring thy soul 
repose. 



ORDAINED." 43 



" ORDAINED." 

" The liglit of men, the salt of earth ; " 
Than kings, the kingUest by birth, 
More sterling, noble, wise and pure, 
They stand in view. 

In purest souls lies deep the will 
To serve the Master, and fulfil 
With voice, and heart, and strength, and 
mind. 

Their calling true. 

See ! prostrate on earth they lie. 
Their souls are soaring, dwelling high 
Above the stars, to revel in 
The feast of love. 

By vow eternal — come what may — 
Shall lead their steps up Calvary's way 
To seek and serve th' Eternal King, 
Our God above. 



44: CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

" Ordained ! " 0, who is there can tell 
The countless thoughts that upward 

swell 
In humble praise and thanks to God — 
The prayers untold ? 

And who can hear the angels' song, 
Thro' heavenly places waft along, 
As round the snow-v/hite throne on 
high 

These joys unfold. 

We, too, the wreaths of prayer now 

bring, 
" Te Deum" gladly shall we sing ; 
Lord, direct them how to guard 
And lead Thy flock ! 

0, may they bear the sacred right 
Of binding, loosing — Thy own might 1 
Unsullied, faithful to the end, 
And firm as rock. 

Go forth, then priests of God ! go seek 
The rich, the poor, the proud, the 
meek, 



"ORDAINED." 45 

And lead them ever by the hand, 
As shepherds true. 

Dispel their fears, relieve their woe^ 
Protect them from the lurking foe, 
And love them as your children, all. 
For Christ loved you. 



46 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



BEFORE BAPTISM. 

Nocturnal spirit of the dead, 
Why came thou here, to torture life ? 
Thy lot is cast upon the bed 
Of slimy worms. 
With earth of man, 
Thy life began, 
And on the life of him is fed ; 
Hide then, 'neath earth, thy baleful 
head. 

What can'st thou give, O spirit vile ? 
Since once you had and fully lost. 
No ghostly hand may souls defile 
Who live for good. 
We fear thee not, 
But deem the spot 
Polluted, where thy crimes — a pile 
Of infancy oft placed, the while. 

Thy day hath come and now is past. 
Thy power is linked to regions dark ; 



BEFORE BAPTISM. 47 

'Tis said thou wilt forever last. 

Where'er thou be, 

Then keep thy plaoe, 

Nor seek to trace 

Thy mis-spent life where hopes are 

cast, 
Like serpents sting, or Satan's blast. 



48 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



A SECRET PRAYER. 

Bexeath the curling lashes, eyes of blue 

Gaze upwards into mamma's face. 
" How like an angel sent from heaven- 
land" 
Ran throuo^h the mother's thouohts 
apace. 

" 'Twere sad indeed," thought she, ^^if 
baby mine 

Should ever stain the beauteous soul 
Those eyes reflect so faithfully to-day. 

And wander far from life's true goal." 

Then spoke the little one as though she 
knew 
What day-dreams, haunted mamma's 
mind ; 
" Won't you please tell me what I have 
to say. 
Dear mamma, so's to make God 
kind?" 



A SECRET PRAYER. 49 

A closer clasp, a longer kiss betray 
The secret mother has to tell. 

'^ My child, each day of life recite just one 
Hail Mary, which you know so well." 

A group of pretty maids surround a desk, 
Their glowing cheeks and brilliant 
eyes 
Betraying true what burning fires of 
'tense 
Expectancy their anguish tries. 

And one, most fair among the group, 

behold ! 
(As opes the choicest bud amid 
Its charming sister flowers, and though 

half seen, 
More searching glances doth forbid), 

Within her trembling hands a chaplet 
rare 
Of beads, the purest pearls, she holds. 
Within her heart, a prayer, her mother 
taught, 
Her soul unto her God unfolds. 
4 



50 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Amidst tlie din of many plauding hands 

She walked to where her honors rest ; 

The crowning wreath upon her head 

was j)laeed 

For God once more her prayer had 

blessed. 

A few years pass as flow the winter 
streams 

To lose themselves in deepest sloughs. 
And like them, in the oceanic past 

Have drifted many broken vows. 

The smile on Summer's cheek a frown 
becomes 
As piercing winds pervade his frame ; 
Still fail to chill the feverish heart of 
one 
About to toy with Fashion's flame. 

Society, in festive garments clothed, 
Perverts the hours of work and rest. 

And holds the gilded halls — the sinful 
piles 
Of pleasures many — as the best. 



A SECRET PRAYER. 51 

Among" the throng who worships at this 
shrine, 
Perhaps most eager to implore. 
We learn that she who mamma's prayer 
forgot 
Is waiting at the outer door. 

A grand triumphal greeting marks her 
course 
And turns her tliou«;hts to sinful 
things 
At times her conscience with a feeble 
voice 
Her prayer to failing mem'ry brings. 

Away the hours speed into months and 
years 
For her, no longer happy ones. 
Unmasked, her fatal tempter coolly 
stands 
He needs no guise to quell her fears. 

Her once good heart, firm steeled to all 
regret, 
Reveals a nature sadly spoiled. 



52 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Now, only God can check her maddened 
will, 
All other efforts have been foiled. 

At last ! the day has come with speeded 
wing, 
And found a woman blanched, and 
worn, 
Unknown, where Charity had placed a 
bed 
To rest the weary and forlorn. 

And while the pains which years of 
crime had brought 
Upon her wan and sickly frame. 
The thouafht of " Mother " smote her 
ano'uished mind 
With other thoughts of sin and shame. 

Beside her stands a holy man, who 
seeks 
To comfort all whom dread disease 
Had fastened on ; when human aid and 
skill 
The racking pains could not appease. 



A SECRET PRAYER. 53 

He spoke to her in accents mild; about 
The Home and Mother far away ; 

Until his words sunk in her very heart. 
Called on her will to try and pray. 

An effort, such as only those can make 

Whom gurgling waters close around, 

Gave evidence that there was something 

still 
Which conscience tremblingly had 

found. 

That mother's little prayer so often 

said 
And then forgot so many times, 
Comes struggling to her purple lips and 

tongue 
To take away the thought of crimes. 

" 0, Holy Man ! " at length she spoke, 
" My soul 

Relief has found in one sweet prayer. 
My mother taught me when in infancy ; 

It made my heart as light as air. 



54 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

To God anew I shall return, and much 
Repentance prove for all the wrong ; 
And with thy kindly aid, good priest, I 

shall 
Return the love I've spurned so 

long." 

Again upon her lips the words so sweet. 

Her mamma taught in years gone by. 

The soothing words : " Hail, Mary, full 

of grace," 

Came back. She said : " If I should 

die 

I know the Virgin Mother whom I 
prayed. 
In youth, so fervently, will aid 
My soul : and seek forgiveness from 
her Son 
Divine, for me, a wicked jade." 

"Ah ! yes, dear child," the fathei* said : 
" 'Tis true 
The Lord is ready to forgive ; 



A SECRET PRAYER. 55 

And no repentance will refuse from 
those 
Who would with Him forever live. 

That little prayer, that brought so many 
gifts 
And favors in your younger days, 
Once more repeat as often as you will. 
Thus, with a new heart sound His 
praise." 

A quick convulsive shudder shook her 
frame 
Her eyes, with glassy stare, ope wide ; 
And "Death" in all his ghastliness 
arrayed, 
Another claimed as his own bride. 



56 CARMINA SAOERDOTIS. 



MOTHER. 

As grows the lily from the earth, 

All white with beauty rare, — 
Which sends the sweetest perfume forth 

An incense to the air, 
Beloved by all who once behold, 

So pure in every way. 
No other flow'r in this wide world. 

Can hold my heart for aye : 
Thou art the lily, mother dear. 

The truest one I know. 
A radiance comes from thy sweet soul 

Bright as a heavenly glow. 



THE SEMINARY BELLS. 57 



THE SEMINARY BELLS. 

The old has gone, forever gone ; 

Its form withdrawn, fore'er with= 
drawn. 
To rest its aged tones, 
To hush its saddening moans, 

Its toll 

Has ceased to dole 
The matins of the morn. 
The evening's vesper song. 

Farewell ! 
Let future glory tell 
Thy praises, dear old beU, 

Farewell, Farewell ! 

The new is here ! the new is here ! 
Is ringing clear, is ringing clear, 
To call to work or rest. 
To give its labors blest. 

In song. 

The whole day long ; 



58 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

To ring to God above 
Our hopes and purest love. 

All hail ! 
NeAv bell. In cahn and gale 
Cease not to tell your tale; 

AU hail, aU hail ! 



A PICTURE. 59 



A PICTURE. 



There dwelt within my dreaming soul 

A picture, holy, fair; 
'Twas of the cross, the cross of life 

Which all of us must bear. 

Close to its base there nestled low 

A symbol of God's love — 
The pretty bird of innocence, 

A gentle little dove. 

Around it, wound in close embrace. 

The roses bright and fair. 
To show that man's eternal hope 

Can only be found there. 

And underneath in numbers great. 
The thorns and rough stones lay ; 

For thus is Heaven's path described 
" A thorny, stony way." 



60 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



ST. AUGUSTINE. 

Augustine, sad, and almost in despair. 
One day, was seated 'neatli his favor- 
ite tree. 
A phantom voice, he heard, — a voice 
of air, — 
That begged him break Sin's fetters, 
and be free. 

He hstened well, he drank in every 
thought. 
The voice was God's, he knew it, and 
obeyed. 
From that day forth his life with good 
was fraught 
For truth, he lived a Champion un- 
dismayed. 



SENTINEL SILENT. 61 



SENTINEL SILENT. 

Slow toll the bells ; all else seems 

hushed ; 

Meek passers-by, in earnest mood. 

Walk onward towards the village 

church, 

And mingle there in brotherhood. 

No words are spoken, save the few 
That serve to greet and pay respect 

To one whom all had known and loved ; 
On whom no foe could e'er reflect. 

Within the church, so sombre looks 
The mourning scene, that from the 
pews 

A warning comes, to hold thy breath 
Lest " Silence " its enchantment lose. 

The service for departed souls 
Unites the living with the dead ; 

And, when 'tis o'er, one more last look 
Shall say in act what can't be said. 



62 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Again the bells slow toll the grief 
That all have felt, and still must feel ; 

An open grave the only thing. 
Seems eager to enjoy its peal. 

The last sod laid, and " Death " resumes 
His vigil o'er the lifeless clay ; 

Adown the village street he peers, 
Where sad friends walk, and counts 
their day. 



HOW CAME SO STRANGE A SPELL?" 63 



" HOW CAME SO STRANGE A 
SPELL?" 

When childhood days enwrapped me, 
The fields around my home 

Seemed bright Elysian pastures, 
Where such as I might roam. 

They were my little kingdoms 

Whose buildings were the plants ; 

My living, toiling subjects. 
The beetles and the ants. 

The daisies were f^iir castles. 
With turrets painted gay ; 

The bluebells and the cowslips 
The home of sprite and fay. 

The butterflies, great dragons, 
Some speckled and some white ; 

And thus, my childish notions 
Went on from morn till night. 



64 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Those same fields still are resting 
Where God once spread them down ; 

But lo 1 the plants and flowers 
Have grown into a town. 

I've peered the broad streets over 
And marked the built-up piles 

Of hotels, houses, churches, 
That stand around for miles. 

I called once more in fancy, 
On thoughts that used to dwell 

Within my youthful noddle, — 
How came so strange a spell ? 

The answer ever whispers 
In voice more fine than air ; 

" The God Who made the flowers 
Wished buildings to be there." 

And so the daisies withered 

The bluebells too, fell ill ; 
While men threw up foundations 

Where ants once raised a hill. 



IN MEMORIAM. 65 



IN MEMORIAM. 

High on a hillside where the granite 
shafts 
At all times point like fingers to the 

sky. 

There stands a stone surmounted by a 
cross 
To mark where father and my 
mother lie. 

In silence and in depths of earth they 
sleep, — 
That sleep that ends where earthly 
rest is o'er, — 
To waken and behold the face of Him 
Who once for us the heavy gibbet 
bore. 

Nor shall we living ones forget the 
place 
Wherein they lie. — A monument doth 
give 
5 



66 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

A double sign : " Their place of earthly 
rest/' 
And where, " Eternally they hope to 
live." 

While life is sweet to us when it is ours, 
Sometimes 'twould seem the better 
part remains 
With those who've passed away, and 
rest beneath 
The silent figures of the tomb-filled 
plains. 



PORTRAIT OF AN INFIDEL. 67 



PORTRAIT OF AN INFIDEL. 

'Tis but a picture of a face, 

That's all, and yet in clarion tones it 
tells 
Of hatred, pride and knowledge mixed. 
Aye more, — how cursed within, a 
poor soul dwells. 

His was a mind with talents rare, 

So like a mountain, should we try to 
make 
Comparison with other men 

Their gifts, like little hills formation 
take. 

His love of power, his pride 

Made naught of all the truths that 
guide men's ways. 
And so he lived his life and lied, — 
And no one cared, when came to end 
his days. 



68 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



TO A BISHOP-ELECT. 

TO VERY REV. HENRY GABRIELS. 

In childhood deep were sown the 
heavenly seeds. 
His virgin soul so ardently admired, 
In manhood still was there the soil 
desired, 
But richer grown and ripe for saintly 
deeds. 

With priesthood wisdom came and 
plucked such weeds 
As might retard the perfect yield re- 
quired^ 
And zeal, which filled his heart with 
love untired. 
Came too — a refuge for our many deeds. 

And lo ! a o-olden harvest crowns his 
days, 
A bishop's rank and privilege shall be 



TO A BISHOP-ELECT. 69 

His well deserved inheritance. The 
rays 

Of life's declining sun look on and see 
A goodly life well spent in Godly ways. 

0, may he garner in Eternity ! — 



70 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE ORPHANAGE. 

'Tis an orphan home, but there, 
By the saintly Sisters' care, 

Want and hunger, sin and shame 
Change thro' kindness e'en the name. 

Little boys and smaller girls 
Bigger boys and maids in curls, 

Seek protection, seek a rest. 
By affliction sorely pressed. 

Come within the shelt'ring walls, 
There to 'scape those woeful falls 

That destroy the struggling soul 
'Fore its God can have control. 

There no drunken father raves 

Maddened by that which he craves, 

Cursing her to whom he gave 
Nothing, — but an early grave. 



THE ORPHANAGE. 71 

There, no mother, wrecked in life, 
Feels the steel of sorrow's knife, 

Weepings sighing all day long. 
Wishing right, but doing wrong. 

Thei-e, no heartless world beholds 
All the faults the home unfolds, 

Without pity, without care. 

Leaving them the beggar's share 

At the early close of day 

Needles, slates and books away, 

To each little snow-white bed 

They retire when pray'rs are said. 

Morning comes, and songs of birds 
Echo but their prayerful words 

Offered up, in praise of Him 

Who will guard each life and limb. 

Orphans, yes ! but angels too. 
Human clad in form and hue 

With garb of earth on which we 
dwell 
Yet, from God, no price can sell. 



72 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



TO REV. W. A. O. 

Some day, when the Father of man- 
kind shall call 
Away from the labor so dear to his 
heart, 
Our friend unpretentious, so clever and 
good. 
His worldly familiars will rouse with 
a start. 

They will see more distinctly that his 
way has taught 
True greatness in man must be found 
in the meek. 
That silent deportment and manners 
genteel 
Are the virtues that every true Chris- 
tian should seek. 

The deceit of the flatterer never was 
known 
To soil the sweet unction the heart 
gave the mind, 



TO REVo W. A. O. 73 

'Twas rare compensation to any who 
claimed 
To hold conversation with him or his 
kind. 

His friendship was loyal as ever was 
born 
From man to his fellows. To me he 
has shown 

That we, who would walk in The 
Saviour's footsteps. 
Should certainly make his Ideal 
their own. 



74 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



UNHEEDED CRIES. 

" Lost, lost, lost ! " sigh the falling 
Autumn leaves, 

" Forever 'neath the Winter's snows. 
No sadder death can ever come 
Than that abiding next our home, 

Have pity, e'er all mercy goes." 

" Lost, lost, lost ! " ever cry the mad- 
dened souls 
Who've wandered from their Mas- 
ter's care. 
0, who will listen and refuse ? 
0, wdio'll his very life abuse, 

A.nd change God's love for Satan's 
snare ? 



SYMBOL OF ARBOR DAY. 75 



SYMBOL OF ARBOR DAY. 

Take the fairest plant and choicest^ 
Fashion deep its bed of clay ; 

Plant it firmly, straight and graceful, 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

Round it strew the rarest flowers, 
Round it twine the fillets gay ; 

Watch it, guard it, ! so tender. 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

'Tis the mark of coming greatness, 
Like the day dawn's early ray. 

Faintest gleam of midday grandeur, 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

In the small and tender limblets, 
Hidden from the sight away, 

Lives a giant force increscent. 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 



76 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

As the tiny babe is nourished, 
Care we ever, while we may. 

For this sign to future peoples. 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

Thro' long years may w^ave its branches, 

Far off be its life's decay ; 
Such our prayers, our earnest wishes, 

Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

With it, too, we'll plant a token. 
Greater, nobler every way. 

In our hearts to grow forever. 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

Plant the hope of always doing, 
(Whether young or old or gray), 

Duty's bidding — God's decretals, 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 

That when comes the final summons 

Truly all of us may say : 
" We have made our best endeavors," 

Symbol of our Arbor Day. 



SYMBOL OF ARBOR DAY. 77 

So together let us plant them 

Trees of hope, 'long life's rough way. 

Some on Earth and all in Heaven 
Symbol of our Arbor Day. 



78 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



CONSECRATION OF MGR. P. 

'Tis not within the power of men 
To say sufficient nice things, when 

The Plane! of Him above cloth guide. 
But Uke the winds that gently blow 
O'er flowers smiling, as they go, 

Our praises scarcely reach thy side. 

When David the anointed one 
His Master's battles had begun, 

A few were found to hail him King. 
But not until Goliath fell 
And Israel's foes were beaten well. 

Did people round his standard cling. 

What answer make, when by his birth 
No princely court proclaimed his worth, 
Yet, wondrous deeds should show his 
power ? 
His Ruler, Yf ho doth make and guide, 
Saw grace within his soul abide, 

From the true flock made him the 
flower. 



CONSECRATION OF MGR. F. 79 

Along the paths that men have worn 
As trod they on, both night and morn, 

Far, far beyond the thoughtful gaze, 
That same is true. For He doth take 
Of us a chosen one and make 

A prelate honored all his days. 

Thou art the one, friend so pure ! 
Whom God hath chosen to insure 

Him ofreater love from creatures all. 
Thou art the David of our times, 
Whom men of different creeds and 
climes 

Will truly God's anointed call. 

We pray, " Thy reign be filled with 

peace. 
And blessings that may never cease, 

From day to day, but greater grow. 
And when night comes, in answer to 
The Father's call, shall reckon you 

Among the blest, forever go ! " 



80 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



DIVES. 

With tear in eye, and doleful voice, 

The sly old rascal vainly strives 
To win our love and confidence. 

And in his efforts fairly thrives. 
Who is he ? What's his name ? you ask, 

I don't suppose you'll risk your lives 
In guessing. So I'll tell you then ; 

To murder language, call him 
" Divesr 

And should you wish to be correct. 
His name is " Dives " as of old. 

Beware of his alluring tricks. 

He'll give you brass instead of gold. 



FAREWELL! 81 



FAREWELL ! 

No sadder thought was e'er expressed, 
No word more tender ever fell, 

To touch the hearts of parting friends, 
Than this one thought, one word, 
" Farewell." 

The sorrows of the human race, 
Our miseries in pictures dwell ; 

Still all our tests and sorrows deep 
Are naught, when loved ones say 
" Farewell." 

Of death, of sickness, master minds 
With pathos, have and oft will tell ; 

Yet breaking hearts and tear-filled eyes. 
Come often est when we say, "Fare- 
well." 

But why such grieving when we know, 

That earthly ties can never dwell 
6 



82 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Forever here. Is it because 

All love shall cease with our " Fare- 
well " ? 

One reason only may be told : — 
The future, like a dungeon cell, 

No light permits the parting ones 
Who must forever say : " Farewell." 



OUR FATHER. 83 



OUR FATHER. 

LINES TO A BISHOP-ELECT. 

The Avails historic, of all times are 
hung 
With names of those who've carved 
themselves a place 
Within the hearts of men. Whose 
deeds are sung 
And lauded by our universal race. 

Each age, with laurel wreaths, has 
found its own. 
And o'er their brows the diadem has 
placed ; 
So, on and on the many centuries 
flown, 
We too these walls with heroes' names 
have graced. 



84 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

One more we add, in proof of love sin- 
cere; 
Perhaps the poorest emblem we can 
give,— 
For truest praises never seek the ear, 
But heart wherein their secrets safe 
may live. 

We call him " Father/' deem it not too 
strange ; 
For such his sacerdotal life has 
been 
That those who know him well can 
never change 
That title, — even though a higher 
soon begin. 

The quadrant cycle spent within God's 
halls 
Proclaim for him a Father's love and 
name. 
Still, though ten thousand times ten 
thousand walls 
Divide us, he shall ever be the same ! 



OUR FATHER. 85 

With children filial fondness never wears 
The changed aspect older eyes con- 
ceive. 
To him we've been so many childish 
cares 
And we, in him, the father's right 
perceive. 

His will was fashioned but to please 
his God 
His life like saintly Mary's sought 
alone 
The one, the greater good, his Master's 
nod. 
To worldliness a pilgrim scarcely 
known. 

In such the purest chords of love are 
found. 
The brightest page in mankind's life 
is planned ; 
In such is Virtue's handmaid ever 
crowned, 
And Honor ever met with welcome 
hand. 



86 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

In such a life no s^all nor wormwood 
dwell, 
To taint the sweetness of a Virgin 
soul; 
To such a one the Angels always 
tell 
The secrets of the last eternal roll. 

Ah, truly if we but conform our ways 
To that in which he steadfastly had 
trod, 
There need exist no fear but that our 
days 
Shall end lit up with sunshine sent 
from God. 

Soon shall we part; God calls him 
nearer still : 
'Tis his to fight a nobler, greater 
fight ! 
We cannot make resistance to that 
Will 
Nor stay the Hand Invisible in 
Might. 



OUR FATHER. 87 

And therefore Avlien shall come the 
Holy Powers 
Upon his soulj and form external 
make 
A bishop's rank his own, let it be ours 
To say '^ God speed " for dear reli- 
gion's sake. 

To say " Farewell " and " Blessings 
while he lives." 
May dear St. Joseph ever give him 
aid, 
And Mary intercede with him Who 
gives 
Us life, for him her humble servant 
made. 

! may no sorrows come to mar his 
peace ! 
And may the guerdon of his service be 
These words, thrice joyful when this 
life shall cease : 
" Thou blessed of My Father, Come 
to Me." 



88 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



QUEER WEATHER. 

WINTER, '94. 

In this the month of good St. Valen- 
tine, 

Come frost and snows, and just the 
least sunshine. 

But this year's " weather clerk " must 
be deranged 

Because our climate seems entirely 
changed. 

Instead of snows and cold and sleet and 

rain. 
With frosty frescoes on the window 

pane. 
He sends us sunny skies and zephyrs 

fair. 
All highly flavored with the tropic's 

air. 



MARCH. 



MARCH. 

Thou rampant, blowing, noisy fellow ! 
Tell us. Winter's henchman, tell, ! 
Where have gone the peace and quiet 
Winter's calm ? Come, cease thy riot ! 

Soon we'll see the balmy showers. 
Summer suns and lovely flowers. 
Then, for shame, you must needs leave 

us 
Lest thy presence here may grieve us. 

In vales, and on the highest places 
Soon will smile the flow'ry faces ; 
Soon the trees, the rocks, the meadows 
Will salute us 'neath the shadows. 

At once, then, if it please your highness' 
Go ! and leave us and forever. 
We are tired of windy dryness. 
Go ! and let our friendship sever. 



90 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



A SUMMER'S NIGHT. 

When Heaven, from her starry height, 
Looks smiling o'er our drowsy sphere, 
When Luna, queen, transmits her 
beams 
Through azure fields, Olympus 
near. 
Midst fairy lights and chirping things 
Let's linger, for the night is clear. 

While sluggards lowly creep to bed, 
With lightsome hearts and free from 
care. 
We'll greet the night, and, laughing, 
go 
Across the fields and streams all 
fair. 
Thro' woodlands dark and o'er the 
hills 
To breathe the sweetness of the air. 



A SUMMER'S NIGHT. 91 

We'll view with love, the wondrous 
scene 
That God doth give when light is 
pale. 
We'll let our fancies run apace 

In pictures of the hill and dale. 
We'll thank Him, for His life and 
light, 
His goodness, that can never fail. 



92 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



AUTUMN. 

The quiet calm of Autumn rests 
On hill, on meadow and on vale, 

A kindred calm within our souls 

To peaceful nature sings : " All 
hail ! " 

We talk of Spring ; the Summer's 
bloom ; 
We hear of Winter's hoary frost ; 
Within the calm of Autumn's eve 
Their beauty and their joy seem 
lost. 

What hand can paint the mellow hght, 
That dances o'er the ripened grain? 
What tongue can sing e'en half so 
sweet 
As Autumn winds o'er tree and 
plain. 



AUTUMN. 93 

Its music comes from Nature's tongue 
It paints on canvas Nature wrought; 

It tells us, do we wish to know, 

That God may everywhere be 
sought. 

! favorite time of all the year, 
We love thee with undying love ; 

Our hearts attuned to thy sweet peace 
That seems but given from above. 



94 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



A SUBTLE THIEF. 

A SUBTLE thief thou art, dying year, 

The boldest, and the craftiest, I vow I 

And though I'm not a prophet nor a 

seer, 

I'm sure you're dressed in rainbow 

colors now. 

Upon thy robes, — the trees and kindred 
plants, — 
Its yellow meets the eye ; upon thy 
face, — 
The glowing sky, — behold ! how down- 
ward slants 
As fair a red as could a rainbow grace. 

Above the red, the purest blue is seen ; 
Beneath it lies a sea of richest gold ; 
And uppermost, — a crown fit for a 
queen — 
Its clouds of fleece full many cen- 
turies old. 



A SUBTLE THIEF. 95 

Thou art indeed a thief, Autumn 
time ! 
Your every vestige, hidden deeds be- 
tray, 
The patent proofs of thievery sublime 
From rainbow precincts, follow every 
day. 



06 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



AUTUMN IS HERE. 

One glance at the heavens, tinted with 

blue, 
One look at the foliage, russet in hue, 
Will tell us that Autumn is here. 

All nature is quiet, as though in re}30se, 
And lost from our view is the bloom of 
the rose, 
To tell us that Autumn is here. 

The red-breasted robins are flitting 

around 
The fruits of the field with maturity 

crowned 
To tell us that Autumn is here. 

These ever display to our mortal eye 
Some of the charms of Our Maker on 
high, 
And tell us that Autumn is here. 



WINTER. 97 



WINTER. 

Locked close in cells half crystal and 
half earth, 
No longer glistening 'neath a melting 
sky,— 
Nor laughing, babbling, gurgling full 
of mirth. 
The waters, sad and darksome, coldly 
lie. 



But yesterday they rippled full of 
smiles, 
And showed reflected Nature all her 
charms ; 
To-day, the slaves of Boreas' force and 
wiles 
They lie clasped closely in his frigid 
arms. 
7 



98 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Perchance from out their prisons dark 
they see 
The old and young in mazy figures 
glide 
Above them spectre-like in forms, and 
flee 
As birds upon their silver-crested 
tide. 

Winter drear, a hoary hand you've 
laid 
Upon the mirrors of your fair abode. 
Their gambols by your icy touch were 
stayed, 
You hushed their merry songs as on 
they flowed. 

Just so our souls, when in their Winter's 
grasp, 
Deprived of all their beauty, love and 
grace. 
Bereft of light, within that awful clasp 
Must feel their woe, and see it face 
to face. 



WINTER. 99 

Yes, Winter of our souls, — in depths of 

gloom, — 
Abodes of sin, — you cast their purest 

light. 
Still there is hope to 'scape this fearful 

doom. 
Behold : " That Heart that shines from 

Heaven's height." 



100 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



TO THE DEPARTED YEAR. 

With varying moods of time is seared 
thy face, 
And turned thy golden locks to frost, 
No longer youthful strides thy move- 
ments grace, 
But in thy tottering steps are lost. 

To me you're numbered 'mong departed 
friends 

None dearer — yet, are many less. 
It is my wish to make you full amends, 

Returning love and tenderness. 

I sigh for thee ! passing, dying year ! 

And wish thy days would come again 

That I might see the forms I love so 

dear, 

And feel their joy, and share their 

pam; 



TO THE DEPARTED YEAR. 101 

That I my duty's unpaid debt might 
fill, 
And through my Lord erase the loss 
Of precious time ; that I might pray 
until 
I've gained the glory of His cross. 



102 CARMINA SACERDOTIS, 



THE TRI-STATES ROCK. 

From distant hills they come, and 

meet 
Where lands on either side look down 

and greet 
The friendly waters merged in one 

grand stream. 
In Nature's bond their friendship tied 
Two lovinof streams forever onward 

glide, 
Like happy lovers pictured in a 

dream. 

Where first they kiss is reared a stone, 
A pledge of union more than proudly 

known, 
To mark the place where three states 

join in one. 
There Death, a silent witness, peers 



THE TRI-STATES ROCK. 103 

From many graves upon their joined 
careers 
As though to watch until their Hves 
are done. 

Afar, where seen the height of land, 
By eyes of men, in massive form and 
grand 
The wreathing breaths of toiling, 
groaning fires 
Betray upon the cloudless sky 
A valley filled with thrifty souls, near by, 
Possessed with energy that never 
tires. 

Opposed, still statelier lands arise 
And point a barren finger to the skies. 
To show that men are strangers still 
up there. 
While, far below, a peaceful vale 
Its verdure lends to stamp with truth 
a tale 
Of thriftiness and happiness that's 
rare. 



104 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

For many happy years gone by 

The red man smoked his pipe of peace, 

while sky 
And earth combined to give him 

every joy. 
The " Minisinks," now, are no more, 
Except in name, as told in common 

lore; 
The white men came : to live thev 

must destroy ! 

With that destruction grew a race 
More noble ; fit e'en kingly thrones to 

grace ! 
They are the peaceful toilers in the 

vale, 
And like the streams their friendships 

sealed, 
A rock this pledge to mankind has 

revealed. 
may it never cease to tell the 

tale! 



OUR NATION'S FLAG. 105 



OUR NATION'S FLAG. 

Air, " Row, Mariner, Row." 

Blow, breezes, blow, breezes, blow ; 
Blow, breezes, blow, unfurl our coun- 
try's flag. 
Blow, breezes, blow, blow, breezes, 
blow; 
Blow and greet our country's flag ! 
Blow, blow, blow, blow. 

Salute its stripes and stars, 
Caress its folds so gently waving, 

Salute its crimson bars. 
Control with love its pinions straining ! 

It is the banner of the free. 
Who proudly mark its upward flight. 
And watch it wave o'er land and 
sea. 
While fill their hearts with pure de- 
light. 



106 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Chorus. 

Hail, all hail, our beauteous flag. 
All hail ! 

Liberty's great and noble flag, 
The glorious stripes and stars. 
Second Time : 

Hail, hail, hail, all hail. 
Greeting for our heart to give, 
Honor while we ever live 
Our country's flag. 

Blow, breezes, blow, blow, breezes, blow ; 

Blow, breezes, blow, and bless our flag 
on high. 
Blow, breezes, blow, blow, breezes, blow ; 

Blow and bless our flag on high ! 
Blow, blow, blow, blow, 

We love to see it wave. 
And flash in glorious noonday splen- 
dor ! 

No nation ever gave 
More ftune or could such glory render; 

Around it dwells our earnest prayer, 



OUR NATION'S FLAG. 107 

That it may never bear a stain, 
Or trail dishonored anywhere 
To bring the hearts of millions pain. 

Chorus. 

Hail, all hail, etc. 



108 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE GLORIOUS FOURTH. 

The bang of the cracker is racking the 
air, 
The heart of the small boy is leaping. 
A midday's sun is trying to scorch 
Every vestige of nature in keeping, 
Because the glorious fourth is here, 
And we are beings strange to fear ; 
We are men who love to see 
Every human being free. 

The sound of the trumpet, the beat of 
the drum, 
The cheers of our people ascending, — 
As heroes and veterans are marching 
along 
Each trained in the art of defending. 
Because the glorious fourth is here. 
And we are beings strange to fear ; 
We are men who love to see 
Every human being free. 



THE GLORIOUS FOURTH. 109 

The spirit of freedom is everywhere 
seen^ 
From God it is given most freely ; 
And no man is ever deprived of its 
good, 
If at heart he's American really. 
Because the glorious fourth is here, 
And we are beings strange to fear ; 
We are men who love to see 
Every human being free. 



110 CAEMINA SACERDOTIS. 



TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. 

Who says the days o£ chivalry are 
past J 
The days that gild the life of man, 

and make 
Him seem a God ? Whose glorious 
deeds doth wake 
The sluggish blood to flowing quick and 

fast, 
Who spurns the earthly gain, the fiery 
blast. 
To bring salvation, liberty to break 
The galling chains of Ignorance at 
last. 



Our Knights have we, illustrious in 
name 
And deed ! Columbus like, who lead 
the way 



TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. Ill 

To realms of God, in purest charity. 
As errants brave, their object and their 
fame 
To help the peerless spouse of God 

allay 
Our pain, our sorrow and our misery. 



112 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



OUR DEWEY. 

In the far-off lands of the PhiHppines 
Was sounded the War's alarming 
blast : — 
Like the folds of a loving mother's 
cloak, 
To protect the babe and hold it fast. 
The Spanish nation sent its men 

And ships to guard till danger passed. 

During night and day was a vigil kept, 
O'er seas upon which the strangers 
sailed, 
And their hearts were inspired with 
glowing hope 
That their armament had never 
failed ; 
That chivalry of years and years 

Could not be jeered, much less as- 
sailed. 



OUR DEWEY. 113 

To tlieir great surprise and their horror 
too, 
Their dreams and their hopes were 
rudely shocked, 
As they gazed far across Manila's bay, 
To behold our ships had not been 
blocked, 
And Dewey moving calmly towards 
The spot where all their ships were 
flocked. 

In a moment boomed all the guns they 
had 
On land and sea to force him out — 
All in vain ! for their ships were sunk 
like lead 
And their soldiers brave were put to 
rout. 
The sounds of battle fled away 

And listened to the freeman's shout. 

There awaits a people, in joy and 
love, 

To hail the return and welcome home 

8 



114 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Their hero new, in distant lands, whose 
name 
They have placed in memory's great- 
est tome. 
Where future children oft may read 
That brave men o'er this world yet 
roam. 



THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. I15 
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. 

BEFORE ITS ERECTION. 

Ye lovers of sweet freedom turn to me 
And list ', for you were often told to 

do 
A something that concerns by no 
means few. 
Take measures now, that all the world 

may see 
Our glorious emblem of dear liberty. 
You say : " My theme gives proof of 

nothinof new," 
'Tis well. — Come, then, Americans, 

help through 
The work to welcome mariners from 
sea. 
From every part, let all with heart and 
hand 
Unite, to make their very best en- 
deavor, 



116 CAEMINA SACERDOTIS. 

And build a statue that will never fall, 
Which, standing in a free and glorious 
land, 
Will offer mankind, for us, and for- 
ever 
A home, protection, liberty to all. 

AFTER ITS ERECTION. 

Well done, ye sons and daughters of 
the free, 
Behold the new light in the firma- 
ment ! 
To sailors gazing landward you have 
sent 
God's rays to welcome home the ships 

at sea, 
And guide them safe, as strain the eye 
to see 
The way. — The wand'rer from his 

native tent 
Is greeted with a sign of welcome 
blent 
With safety. 0, may its good forever 
be! 



THE STATUE OF LIBERTY, II7 

And from her heights our giant God- 
dess^ fair, 
Looks out with kindly eyes across the 
deep. 

By night her torch, by day her arm 
outstretched, 

Shall warning and a welcome give. 
Her care 
And love shall grow none less. Nor 
rest, nor sleep 

Shall ever cloud the halo round her 
head. 



118 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



ANARCHY. 

A STRANGER, passing through the gates 
That closed a town from all the world, 

Beheld, upon the rampart walls, 
A banner to the wind unfurled. 

No wrought device upon it gave 
A sign to all who might behold, 

But color red more loudly cried 
That Anarchy had found a fold. 

Within, where desolation heaped 
Her ruins high in cumbrous piles. 

Deserted homes, and ravaged lands 
Proclaimed the curse for many miles. 

There was a time, not long before. 
When Plenty, Thrift and Love pre- 
vailed ; 

Then men grew jealous of the good. 
And demon-like this peace assailed. 



ANARCHY. 119 

At first, false doctrines, slyly spread, 
Became foundations for the crimes 

That later on, in boldness grown, 
Would wreck the spirit of the times. 

Alas ! too late the citizens 

Awoke to see a serpent's head 

Raised in their midst, and glaring 
round 
On victims soon to join the dead. 

A vain attempt to crush the ill 

Removed all barriers from the way, 

And now the traitors' flag salutes 
With stains of blood, the light of 
day. 



120 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



AT THE FAIR. 

ADAPTED TO MOORE. 

Oh, joyous the hour when to this 

charming bower 
Of " sweet little fairies " with stout 
hearts men came, 
There, Beauty held sway 
O'er the youths, rich and gay — 
Who soon fell 'neath her charms, lit by 
love's subtle flame. 

0, sad was the hour, when, to this lovely 

bower, 
All unmindful of fate and their pockets 
they went. 
Midst a hundred bright eyes. 
Midst a thousand soft sighs. 
Every cent that they had at their sweet 
wills, was spent. 



AT THE FAIR. 121 

! late was the hour when they left 

this dear bower, 
To seek consolation and quiet at home : 
To think of bright eyes, 
Of the soft, fatal sighs, 
And how simple they were midst such 
fairies to roam. 

But 0, for the hour, when to this 

pretty bower, 
With lots of good cash and gaiete 
they'll return. 
They'll fear not their smiles. 
Nor their thousand cute wiles. 
And once they depart, the dear maids 
will mourn. 



122 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



INGERSOLLIAN. 

Say, Bob, the Church would have a queer 

old time if you were made its Vicar. 
You'd tell your jokes and wink your eye 

to make the good folk snicker. 
Dear brother R would blossom forth 

a brand new coadjutor, 
The mob of course not far behind as 

" Sacerdotal hooter." 
We folk outside no longer then could 

cast our " vile reproaches," 
For you would send us ofP as nice as 

" paris green " the roaches. 
To fellow men you'd stretch the hand 

that bears the wand of blessing. 
And those who wouldn't meet its clasp 

you'd keep forever guessing. 
The good old times would come again, 

The pigs would live in clover. 
And men would know e'en twice as 

much as if they Hved life over. 



INGERSOLLIAN. 123 

Admission price an absurd dream, " The 

ten cents at the doorways/' 
" A bit of memory of the past " would 

be a sign on poor days. 
Nor would they hear the " Star priced " 

choir sing all alone on Sundays 
All gone, Soj)ranos, Altos, Tenors, and 

theB. ^^ profundis." 
And not a soul to say a prayer or praise 

the King of Nations, 
For you alone their God would be on all 

the state occasions. 



124 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

TRANSLATION. 

ODE FROM HORACE. 

No ivory within my house, 

Nor marble cohimns grand, 
Cut in the wilds of Africa 

And polished by its sand. 
I'm not an heir of Attains 

Who left his great estate ; 
Nor do Laconic slaves weave wool 

For me beside my grate. 
But good faith is within my soul, 

Genius and honesty ; 
So having practised these good traits 

The Poor and Rich seek me. 
What more should I ask of the gods 

Or of my kindest friend ? 
I'll be content with my small farm 

While each day seeks its end. 
The new moon comes, the old moon 
wanes. 

Why are ye stealing land? 



TRANSLATION. 125 

Do you not know that soon you'll go 

To join Death's silent band ? 
Forsooth ! you, careless of the tomb, 

Extend your land the more, 
Nor satisfied v/ith what you have 

You move beyond the shore. 
And why do you encroach upon 

The landmarks of the poor ? 
Their wives and their dear little babes 

Must slowly starve, 'tis sure ; 
But why do you continue so ? 

To Hell you'll surely go, 
And there you'll find the dungeon deep 

That waits for you below. 
The earth shuts in the rich and poor, 

Both equalled in the shroud. 
It lowered old Prometheus 

And Tantalus the proud. 
No gold can bribe the ferryman 

Of Orcus's domains. 
E'en kings' sons will have to stay 

When once within its chains. 
Death levels all ; but as a rest 

Comes to release the one 



126 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Being poor, brings him his reward, 

His labors being done. 
It matters not who wishes it 

Throughout the breadth of land, 
No matter who refuses it, 

It's always near at hand. 



A BETROTHAL. 127 



A BETROTIIAL. 

TO A FRIEND. 

In distant lands, where life most sweet 
doth lend 
Abundant charms to all who chance 

to dwell, 
You came to pass the hours away and 
tell 
Your secrets, when returned, to some 

dear friend. 
'Tis right, but let me whisper while you 
bend 
The ear responsive, while you listen 

well : — 
" Recall the morn that church bells 
rang the knell 
Of sinners, as you went to see a friend. 
Shall I betray the charming little scene ? 
When, nestled close, you looked into 
his eyes 



128 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

And let him sip the nectar from between 
Your ruoy hidden pearls — those deep 
drawn sighs, 
That told in loudest words how strong 
had been 
Bold Cupid, yet he caused you no 
surprise." 



OTHERS. 129 



OTHERS. 

Like mighty winds, all master minds 
Can sway the thoughts of others, 

In some is found the breath that saves, 
In some the fume that smothers. 

We lowly ones, who, wondering gaze, 
Transfixed, amazed, astounded. 

Can choose the true things by them 
taught. 
When by Christ's Church expounded. 



130 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



ENGLISH VERSION. 
Horace, Lib. IV. 

The Spring returns, Winter has gone, 

Favonius comes, so good ; 
The sailors drag their ships to sea 

On rollers made of wood, 
The flocks, by no means satisfied. 

Must still in stalls abide. 
The farmer, too, cares not to stay 

And sit by his fireside. 
No more are fields covered with frost, 

And 'neath the silvery moon. 
The Graces, and the lovely Nymphs, 

Dance to a lively tune. 
Old Vulcan, o^lowino^ at his trade 

Regards not when he stops. 
But blows his fires, and hammers hard 

In the shop of the Cyclops. 
And now we bind our shining heads 

With myrtle green, and flowers 



ENGLISH VERSION. 131 

That grow from earth just loosened 
fresh 

And flourished with its showers. 
Let us sacrifice to " Favonius/' 

A lamb if he may wish ; 
Should he prefer a gentle kid 

Why, let him have the dish ! 
For pale old Death will come to all, 

He may come soon or late ; 
He'll call both at the lowly hut 

And at the palace gate. 
O, Dear Sestus, why should we hope 

To stay so long down here ? 

You know life's span is very short, 

And death is always near. 
And now night and the fabulous ghosts 

Afar you do not see ; 
Besides, there is old Pluto's den 

That calmly waits for thee. 
Nor can you at the dainty feast 

Secure that place so fine 
In throwing dice, to make yourself 

The ruler of the wine. 



132 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



ARBOR DAY. 

Along the steep hillside, down in the 

dell, 
Looking for ivy and the bluebell. 
Laughing and chatting, eyes shining 

clear, 
Youths and sweet maidens, to mama's 

so dear. 
Seek the new flowers hiding to stay, 
Safe from young headsmen, on Arbor 

Day. 

The poor little blossoms, timid and shy. 
Soon are discovered by a quick eye ; 
Fainting and shrinking each dying 

plant 
Borne from its kindred, while little 

ones chant ; 
Far from its loved home stolen away. 
Borne by the children on Arbor Day. 



ARBOR DAY. 133 

Beneath the tall shade trees in school- 
yard 

Strewn are their garlands; waiting to 
guard 

One little symbol telling of youth, 

Telling of greatness and power for- 
sooth, 

Coming upon them when hairs turn to 
gray, 

Yet shall remind them of Arbor Day. 

And though small and tender, this gen- 
tle tree 

Teaches a lesson to you and to me. 

Pliant and yielding to God's command. 

Strongly majestic in future shall stand ; 

Strong from its training, grand from 
the way 

It had been planted on Arbor Day. 

Together, dear children, let us all learn 
From this occasion, that which should 

burn 
Deep in our hearts and ever remain. 



134 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Thought of and practised in joy and in 

pain; 
" Gentle and docile " let each child say, 
"Such shall I be" from this Arbor 

Day. 



FRIENDSHIPS PLEDGE. 135 

FRIENDSHIP'S PLEDGE. 

Can you not stay, sweet friends ? 
Is there no way to 'void the fatal hand 
That seeks to chill thy living form, and 

brand 
With cravings grim and 'ghast of 
Death? 
And must our Friendships end? 

Thy memory brighter grows, 
Becomes again a living, vivid thing, 
That thrills and moves the faithful 

heart to cling 
Unshaken to an only hope, 

A hope that ever glows. 

One word, one look, a sigh, 
give ! to bring surcease to my sad 

soul; 
Then, should the bells for thee in sad- 
ness toU, 
You'll be enshrined within my heart, 
And never, never die. 



136 CARMINA SACERDOTIS, 



THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR. 
To Rev. M. J. C. 

When home and comforts all were left, 
And strangers took their place, 

We boys met one m whom we found 
The parents' love and grace. 

We learned to prize him more and more, 
Because his ways were kind, 

And saintliness his manner gave 
A sweetness undefined. 

No matter what he said or did, 
We saw when time had gone, 

'Twould mark our future usefulness 
With light as fair as dawn. 

In him we found the human heart 

Unselfish, pure and true. 
The friend of God, the friend of men, 

The friend of aU who knew. 



THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR. 137 

No fear had he in doing right, 
Nor feared he they who wrong, 

His character might be the scroll 
The saints would bear along. 

To priesthood's sacred precincts he 
Our f altering footsteps cheered : 

God bless our dear director, who 
Will ever be revered. 



138 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE NURSE GIRL. 

Along the village street she wheels 

The baby in its carriage, 
Her thoughts perchance concerning 
meals. 

Or politics, or marriage. 

Or else she ponders o'er the means 

Of curing baby's teething. 
For baby has a trying time, 

So labored is his breathing. 

She may be thinking of the days 

When she was wrapped in swaddling, 

When others bore her in their arms, 
Because too small for toddling. 

But no, 'tis otherwise : it seems 
That on the near street corner 

A winso:aie bluecoat smiles at her, 
And feels she is no " scorner," 



THE NURSE GIRL. 139 

She is simply thinking how to charm 

The guardian of the city, 
She wonders if the roundsman's near, — 

He is, and that's a pity. 

Oh, pshaw ! such little things as that 
Cannot love's true course alter. 

She wheels directly towards his post 
Without a halt or falter. 

And then behold her female tact 
(Although her heart did flutter), 

By some mischance, the babe upset 
And both fell in the gutter. 

Right gallantly the bluecoat came, 
At once, to their assistance. 

Within his arms she feels secure 
And babe makes no resistance. 

The roundsman saw the whole mishap, 
The maid and child protected; 

And, that it was by " mal-mtent^^ 
He never once suspected. 



140 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



WHO IS HE? 

Some folks call him " Statesman " be- 
cause his great wealth 
From the citizens' pockets hath come, 
While to others he's known as the real 
good friend 
Who remember, he promised them 
some. 

" The honorable sir," is a title he loves 

To behold when in print is his name. 

Yet his henchman bend low as they 

murmur 

'^ The Boss," so enchanted are they 

by his fame. 

You cannot mistake him in thousands 
of men. 
From the style and cut of his clothes, 
From the language he speaks, from his 
jargon of words 
And his euphonic (?) " dis " " dems " 
and " doze," 



WHO IS HE? 141 

He's statesman 'tis true, for he's always 
in state 
Just as long as the people are tools ; 
He's their friend just so long as they 
wish to 
Believe all his promises given to 
fools. 

His honor can only be found in his 
name, 
Which a people misuse to apply ; 
But he's boss, for he rules us with ada- 
mant hand, 
And will rule us, and rob till we die. 



142 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE CLASS OF '98. 
(At p. J.) FOR A Friend. 

Our school day work is o'er. 

Our part in life begun, 
The class room we shall leave 

To greet Life's midday sun. 
Yet the many happy hours 

As we followed Learning's call 
We shall always fondly look upon 

As happiest times of all. 
Our teachers, tried and true, 

Have helped us all attain 
The end that seemed so far. 

So filled with work and pain. 
They shall never be forgot 

In the future's speeding years ; 
For they have wholly won our hearts 

And banished all our fears. 
To please our friends we've tried 

With efforts most sincere 



THE CLASS OF '98. I43 

Now, the future shall disclose 

Unto each his own career. 
To our school friends, all, "good-bye," 

And, ^^ good-bye " to each classmate, 
May Our Lord look on and bless us, 

The class of " Ninety-eight." 



144 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE OFFICIOUS MAN. 

If ever a man is despised in this world, 
And likened to him ^Yl^o from Heaven 

was hurled, 
'Tis the man who is busy with others' 

affairs. 
Though unasked by these people or 

even their heirs. 

He meets your friends boldly and 

makes them his own. 
And speaks, in your absence, as though 

he had known 
Them for years, and with flattery seeks 

to destroy 
The old friendships that started when 

you were a boy. 

His own work he'll drop to apppear in 
yoiu' way, 



THE OFFICIOUS MAN. 145 

Then tell you he's tired at the end of 

the day ; 
With mind always planning, though 

shallow and sham, 
In this trait it has grown like the point 

of a ram. 

His hand is outstretched in false friend- 
ship, and though 

From his lips the most flattering, 
honeyed words flow. 

He's a genuine hypocrite, making be- 
lieve 

He's in earnest, when really his heart's 
on his sleeve. 

To a stranger, I'm certain, unless he 

was told. 
Your labors, acquaintances, all that you 

hold. 
Would appear not your own ; but 

thank God comes the time. 
When this fribbler will sing to a far 

different rhyme. 

10 



146 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

His conceit will yet lead liim, to put on 
the skin 

Of the honest and upright, (although it 
is thin) 

Like the ass in the story, who, a lion 
would play, 

He'll spoil his own game with his asin- 
ine bray. 



SUNDAY FUNERALS. 147 



SUNDAY FUNERALS. 

Some clergymen once at Old Pluto's 
request, 

At one who was nearly as bad, 
Drew up resolutions to this, in effect, 

" That no Sunday funerals be had." 

" A dogma like that," the dear people 
declared, 
" They never had previously heard 
About which, in Scriptures divinely in- 
spired 
Was not even written a word." 

But surely 'twas clear that their much 
loved divines 
Knew all that related to God, 
And would, without doubt, provide 
them a time 
For burial 'neath the green sod. 



148 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Still, lest disappointment, their hopes 
might upset 
They too formulated a plan — 
To bounce each tired cleric as soon as 
they could 
And call on a more willing man. 

(These lines written to recall to mind 
a certain set of resolutions, drawn up 
by several clergymen at Port Jervis, 
Oct., '93.) 



A TRAMP'S SONG. 149 



A TRAMP'S SONG. 

Not one hundred years ago 
I was born, as you may know. 

In a land where freemen only, lived 
and died. 
To the village school I went. 
There my childhood ways were spent 
Till the thought of winning glory 
touched my pride. 

I succeeded all too well ; 
And, ere long, like Satan fell. 

Never more to clasp the phantom of 
my life. 
My success, sound reason racked, — 
Friends and wine my household 
sacked, — 
Leaving nothing to my children and 
my wife. 

Often on the tiresome road, 

I am passed by men who've owed 



150 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

All they ever had, long years ago, 
to me. 
They have coolly passed me hy, 
Yes, have laughed to see me cry ; 
Never dreaming who this sad-eyed 
tramp might be. 

There lives yet within my breast 
One fond hope to be at rest, 

Where poor tramps and their mis- 
fortunes cease to be ; 
To be laid beside my own 
Wife and children, all alone. 

In a little graveyard, nestled by the 
sea. 

Until then I'll plod along, 
Teaching men my heart's sad song. 
And remind them of the danger 
that's ahead ; 
They shall not forget the one 
Who forever has passed on. 

For their mem'ries will recall the 
tramp that's dead. 



BABY'S GRIEF. 151 



BABY'S GRIEF. 

Ah, little one, sweet little one, 
Come here, and tell me why 

Such signs o£ grief have stained thy 
cheeks ? 
Come ! let those bad tears dry. 

Two jeweled eyes on me are bent. 

Two little arms are spread ; 
Then fondly clasped upon my breast 

She rests her curly head. 

" Me mad ! cause dolly's gone a lost, 

I don't know way to fine. 
And Daud won't tell me w^hen I pway, 

He's jes, He's jes unkine." 

Her sorrow soon gave way to joy. 
And God once more seemed fair ; 

For though old dolly ne'er came back, 
A new one claims her care. 



153 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



TO ADDIE. 

She's mamma's little Acldie, 

Her eyes are black as night ; 
The baby of the household 

And everyone's delight. 

Her smiles are like the morning. 
So bright and clear are they; 

An angel sent amongst us 
To drive all cares away. 

To me there's no one dearer, 
For her my life I'd give 5 

And if the Lord permitted, 
For her I'd always live. 

Her voice seems filled with music, 

AngeHcal in tone ; 
Her mind as pure as crystal. 

Her soul a precious stone. 



TO ADDIE. 153 

Her sweet face often haunts me. 

While far away am I, 
And quick dispels the storm-clouds 

That dim my mental sky. 

My prayers have e'er been offered, 
These many, many years, — 

That her fair life may never 
Be stained by sorrow's tears. 



154 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



HIS LAST LETTER. 

The morning light peeped thro' the 
panes 

And saw a mother, babe in arm, 
Keclining on the snowy bed ; 

As though to hide from wild alarm, 
As though communing with the dead. 

Beside them, stained with many tears, 
Was placed a letter, open wide ; 

Which told of Death and blighted life, 
A husband's last and fatal ride. 

An orphan child and widowed wife. 

The bright sun of the previous day 
Revealed, within that very room, 

A glimpse of life far different than 
The present sadness, grief, and 
gloom, — 

A happy wife, her child and man. 



HIS LAST LETTER. I55 

They parted, after both their lips 
Had unto each conveyed the joy 

And love that daily grew between 
Their trusting hearts. Their little boy 

Tucked in his bed, slept on serene. 

He to his engine wends his way, 
To household duties she attends, 

Their fondest hearts together rest; 
A happy home this union blends. 

And makes their lives seem more than 
blest. 

The letter came by special mail. 
The last words of a dying man, 

To tell her keep their baby " Jim," 
Fulfil their education plan. 

And mercy ask from God, for him. 

A piercing cry awoke the babe. 
Who saw his mother, fainting fall, 

The neighbors came to help her bear 
The load of sorrow ; and recall 

How God, in trouble, takes our care. 



156 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

As daylight waned, the people talked 
About " A frightful railroad crash/' 

A hero new, the wreck had made. 
Whose life, as sudden as a flash. 

On Duty's altar lone was laid. 

When chance was given to escape 
The awful doom, and leap in time. 

But, no ! too many souls placed trust 
In him. " To save myself a crime," 

He thought. " So let it come what 
must ! " 

Fearless ! as onward slid his train. 
O'er slipp'ry rails, with brakes set 
tight. 

Into the fallen mass of rock. 

He never left his post ; 'till right 

Beneath his engine thrown, from shock. 

A hundred grateful arms were held 
To bear his mangled form away, 

A hundred ears were turned to him 
To list and hear what he might say. 

As spoke he soft of "wife " and " Jim." 



HIS LAST LETTER. I57 

Before he died they helped him write 
One last, fond note to home, sweet, 
home ; 

And then they closed their hero's eyes, 
And thanks gave God, to safely roam 

While soared his brave soul to the skies. 



158 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



EUGENE FIELD. 

IN MEMORIAM. 

From the mouths of babes and suck- 
lings 

No end of praises flow. 
Singing rest to their loving poet. 

Who ever from them must go. 

For he was their great, great champion, 

Who told in tales of rhyme 
All the wonderful things of childhood, 

That happened from time to time. 

Who made known all their joys and 
sorrows, 

And filled their lives with glee ; 
Making each one the happy guesser 

Of what he would like to be. 

Till his name, to households dearer 
Than Santa's has become, 



EUGENE FIELD. 159 

Till their dear little hearts loved 
warmer 
Than rays of the midday sun. 

Now it seems the sprites and angels 
Have learned to like him too, 

And have suddenly swept him from us, 
To sing them his songs anew. 

Sweetest peace be thine, dear singer, 
Where'er thou chance to be ! 

May the joys of thy friendly innocents 
Be your own eternally ! 



160 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



CLASS SONG. 

Kind friends, the hour has come for us 
To bid you aU " Farewell/' 

To leave our books, our teachers dear, 
'Mid other scenes to dwell. 

CHORUS. 

" Good-bye," and may the loving Lord 

Direct and guide our way, 
Reminds us daily that : — " Palma 

Non sine pulvere." 

For years we've studied day and night. 

To gain the laurels won; 
Yet, school work merely points the fact, 

" Life's journey's just begun." 

Once more we turn to say " Good-bye," 
And hope the coming years 

Will find each one steadfast to truth. 
Unchanged by joys or fears. 



OLD WILLIAMSBRIDGE. 161 



OLD WILLIAMSBRIDGE. 

A QUAINT little town in a queer little 
dell, 

The funniest old place for mortals to 
dwell ; 

On one side a river, on the other a 
ridge, 

The name of the place was Williams- 
bridge. 

No palaces lorded its humble abodes, 
Nor pavements, nor asphalt adorned its 

mud roads. 
With a battered old station and one 

country store 
Its people all prospered and never 

wished more. 

Just when the place started nobody can 

say, 

It may have grown suddenly — all in a 

day. 
II 



162 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Its manners and customs were strictly 

its own 
While its people remained. But alas ! 

they have flown. 

Now, a new generation is filling its 

lands 
Like the changeable hour-glass, when 

shifting its sands. 
The funny old landmarks are ripe in 

decay, 
And the dear folk that built them have 

long passed away. 



OUR BOOKS. 163 



OUR BOOKS. 

Like mankind's life, our books and 
notes 
Their part have played, their time 
have filled. 
On mem'ry's tide their history floats, 
And with the past their voice is 
stilled. 

But though no more they move among 
The active beings of our age, 

Their truths and teachings, ever young, 
Live on, to grace some other page. 

We say " adieu " but not " farewell," 
For we shall oft in future meet ; 

And then, dear books, we'll truly tell 
Our mind and heart in accents sweet. 



164 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



"HOMEWARD." 

Oh, who has felt the wanderer's joy, 

Returning from some foreign place ? 
Who can describe the loving look 

He gives to every well-known face ? 
Who would disdain the tender kiss 

He gives his own, with gentle grace, 
Who feel the pulse his manly heart 

Gives forth, with every new embrace ? 

Yes ! I would roam the world around, 

Replacing all I hold most dear. 
To feel just once the love I bear. 

To shed just once the joyful tear ; 
To bask amid the loving smiles. 

To clasp again those ever near, 
For moments such are worth far more 

Than all the triumphs of a year. 



WOODLAWN. 165 



WOODLAWN. 

Within the bounds of our city grand, 
On its northern border, quite alone, 

There's another city silent, sad. 

Yet most beautiful, and built of stone. 

Its streets have never echoed the sones 
Of the little folk who shout at play. 

Only moaning winds breathe fitful sighs, 
Or a whispered " hush " at close of 
day. 

In truth it has the little ones there, 
With the older folk in numbers great. 

They are all asleep in the sleep of Death 
Far beneath the stones, with names 
and date. 

The loving souls that have felt their 
loss 
No expense have spared in keeping 
neat, 



166 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Those most sacred precincts of their 
dead, 
With grand tombs, headstones and 
flowers sweet. 

The passer-by will be moved to feel 

The Eternal truth God would instill, 
" That thou are but dust," and our 

life compares 
To the simple croon of the whippoor- 

wilL 



A MEMORY. 167 



A MEMORY. 

'TwAS years iigOy and I remember well, 
How charmed I felt within your witch- 
ing spell 
Of beauty, innocence and goodness rare. 
That seemed to waft an incense throuo^h 
the air. 

The childish prattle, and the silly things 
You uttered have not taken on the 

wings 
With time and flown ; they Ve all re- 
mained with me 
To be as sunlight flashing o'er the sea. 
Or chanted music stealing from the 

past 
To lull my restless soul asleep at last. 

But you have changed and show the 

mark of years. 
The snows of time, the stains of many 

tears, 



168 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

The strain of labors and the lines of 
care ; 

Oh ! can it be that death is near? Be- 
ware ! 

Let me recall those grandest days of 

life, 
To cheer your spirit to redoubled strife ; 
To cast aside the mantle stained and 

worn, 
To reach again, and grasp youth's filled 

up horn. 



SCHOOL DAYS. 169 



SCHOOL DAYS. 

AT MOSHOLN SCHOOL. 

Sweet recollections, mem'ries rare 
Of olden times, have oft returned 

To greet the mind, and lighten care 
With thoughts of those for whom 
we mourned. 

There may at times, perhaps there may 
Be other thoughts as cheering too, — 

But even though as bright as day. 
They fail to leave such feelmgs true. 

That little school beneath the hill 
Where weeping willows bending low 

Caress the elves, who swing at will 
And rock the branches to and fro. 

That noisy bell,— that scared away 
The sombre crows trying to spy, — 



170 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

A spirit woke which seemed to say, 
" You have no time to idle by." 

Within that school were faces bright 
And beaming, with the smiles of 
love ; 
No place for Care, no place for Night, 
There lambkin dwelt with gentle 
dove. 

Presiding o'er the general clan 

Of boys and girls, in different shades, 

A chieftain teacher — goodly man — 
With gentler help — a dozen maids. 

No purer hearts, no nobler souls. 
Have e'er directed human minds. 

Each year succeeding, onward rolls 
And dearer, nearer each one finds. 

Much would I give to see, as yore. 
That dear old spot, and teachers all ; 

But all are vanished, are no more. 
The mind alone, must now recall. 



SCHOOL DAYS. 171 

Sweet peace be to you, gentle guides ! 

Eternal joys bless each loved soul ; 
In life you walked where Hope abides, 

In death, you found your love's true 
goal. 



172 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

TWO TRAVELLERS. 

Way down where the street and the 

broad river met, 
Where the soil was damp and the rocks 

were wet, 
Two little urchins went out to play. 
Their clothes were tattered, and so 

were their hats, 
From tumbling in games on the rough 

door-mats, 
All the scorching summer's day. 

'Twas evening; just as fast ebbing 

tide 
Ev'ry sign of danger endeavored to 

hide. 
Smiling and flashing in moonlight 

gi'ay. 
Nor feared the boys as they gazed long 

upon 
The treacherous waters as seaward they 

run. 
All the scorching summer's day. 



TWO TRAVELLERS. 173 

Now two city homes in deep mourning 
are cast, 

And the two sweet urchins f ore'er have 
passed 
Silently from us, far, far away. 

And no one thinks of the mothers for- 
lorn. 

Or sorrows with which their sad hearts 
are torn, 
All the scorching summer's day. 

Still smiling, and rippling the river 

flows on. 
Nor seeming to care for the many lives 

gone, 
Watching for others, tempting its 

way, 
Whisp'ring "adieu," to the two Httle 

graves 
That silently point at the gHttering 

waves. 
All the scorching summer's day. 



174 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



ERIN. 

Encircled by the wave-plougliecl deep; 
Where ancient abbeys vigil keep, 
Where relics of far better years, 
Point out the graves sunk low with 

tears, 
Where sings the lark its morning trill, 
And leaps the hare on fen and hill ; 
Where — fairest plant to Nature wed. 
The " Shamrock," rears its triune 

head. 
Behold ! poor Erin, bending low 
In sorrow, while the hot tears flow. 
Behold ! her wretched, woeful state. 
Her loss of power ; the Briton's hate. 
Look at her sons, worn out with care 
And famine, stalking everywhere. 
Her daughters begging daily bread ; 
Herself and fierce starvation wed, 
Her fields present the freshest green, 
Her skies, no brighter can be seen, 



ERIN. 175 

Her lakes, her shores, her hills and 

vales, 
Can rival any told in tales. 
All useless, though kind Nature strives 
To cheer her ; still her woe survives. 
And why? Because oppressor, man. 
Subverts his very Maker's plan. 
Philanthropists ! Ye men of deeds. 
Look round you, see this Nation's 

needs ! 
The monster sphinx has come again. 
With greater puzzle for man's brain. 
In truth, look where you will, or go. 
You see the same unbounded woe. 
And then you doubt, or mayhap fear 
To reck, or think, how doubly dear 
Must life be to her struggling sons. 
Their wives and starving little ones, 
How in their hearts must burn the hate 
Of rule, the kind that fools would 

prate. 
Shall they be blamed for feeling so ? 
Justice and pity cry out " No ! " 
Does peace exist where war is rife. 



176 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Are faces calm in angry strife, 
Does love beat warm within the breast 
That never knew a kind behest ? 
Perhaps, if they were made of steel, 
Oppression's hand they would not feel. 
When workmen give their lives away 
To win the substance of a day, 
When merchants sell their vital spark 
To purchase passage in Life's bark. 
Life surely then must have its worth, 
And earth appears no more than earth. 
Why should they toil and spin their 

lives. 
Like bees in building useless hives ? 
Their all is lost when gain should show. 
When strength is sapped and spirits 

low; 
At last, beneath the seeming curse 
They die; while fills the plunderer's 

purse. 
Ah, Erin dear ! you truly know 
What is affliction, what is woe. 
Still, struggle on ! There comes the 

day, 



ERIN. 17'J' 

When trials, sufferings, fade away ; 
And then dear Isle of heroes bold, 
Of neroes in the Christian fold. 
May God in justice touch your night 
And change it into brighter light. 

12 



178 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



LINES TO A H . 

IN ALBUM. 

May your years reach golden numbers, 

May no sadness ever give 
Deep regrets, to steal the sweetness 

You should feel, while thus you live. 
Hope on always in God's mercy, 

And your life with good sustain ; 
Safe from sin, your soul protected, 

Never shall reflect a stain. 
When at last your life is ended, 

" Rest Eternal " be your gain. 



THE VIGILANT. I79 



THE VIGILANT.* 

VICTOE. 

Fak from the realms of tEoIus, haste 
The winds that blow our sailors' 
fame, 

A triple test, to truly show, 

The other side — how fast we go. 

Filled are thy pinions, with the winds 
That came, propitious, to thy aid, 

By Triton favored, thee alone 

Shall win the honor, rightly paid. 

Our Vigilant ! how like a dove 

She skims the waves with wings out- 
spread ; 

And darts and poises on the swells 
Regardless of the fear or dread. 

* Recalling the International boat race between 
our American yacht the Vigilant, and the 
English yacht, the Valkyrie. 



180 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

The winds may howl and surges grow, 
Still onward ever in her flight 

She seems a living, haunted thing 
That revels in her own delight. 

Loud boom the guns, the whistles 
shriek, 
An ocean chorus swells on high. 
As homeward flies our swift-winged 
boat, 
A Victor, lauded to the sky. 



GOOD NIGHT. 181 



GOOD NIGHT. 

The falling^ shades from out the west 
Now slowly steal away the light ; 

A silence new 

Comes with the dew, 
To bid the dying sun " Good night." 

The fading years of human life 
Like end of day must come to all ; 

The silv'ry hair 

And lines of care, 
Are presages of Death's sure call. 



182 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



THE OCEAN. 

Beside the mighty ocean, on its sands 
I stood 

Contemplative, and longing for my 
brotherhood. 

I watched the restless billows tumbling, 
tossing in 

Like massive mounds of seething wick- 
edness and sin ; 

They seemed to envy everything upon 
the shore, 

Their maddened fury ending in a pro- 
longed roar. 

As if in greed, they rushed toward me, 

who stood in awe 
Then broke — I looked again and only 

bubbles saw. 
My loneliness had made a fear steal 

o'er my soul 
When first I viewed the Ocean's majesty 

and roll, 



THE OCEAN. 183 

And heard the thunderous crash of 

tons of whitened spray 
That never seemed to cease or rest by 

night or day. 

So insignificant seemed all my vaunted 
race 

In presence of such power, massiveness 
and space, 

I dared not move ; in truth, I would not 
if I couldj 

For well I knew the quiet sands a bar- 
rier would 

Oppose, that waves, nor winds combined 
could ever break. 

And, holding fast, the beaten seas re- 
treat would make. 

'Tis thus with life ; at times we see the 
dangers come 

Like surging billows, sent to tear us far, 
far from 

Our brightest hopes. Then Faith op- 
poses God's strong beach. 

And, ere we know it, they have fled 
beyond our reach. 



184 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 



AN OLD STORY. 
I. 

THE ATTACK. 

Amidst the shades of forests standino: 
long 

Before the earth gave life to human- 
kind, 

A solitary being moved and grieved — 

Within himself, because of loss of 
power. 

His saddened thoughts went back to 
that time when, 

In splendor and in majesty, he held 

Control o'er powers angelic ; none save 
he 

Responsible. Throughout the Heav- 
enly Court, 

From all, the gladdest greetings ever 
o-iven 

Became to him a daily homage ; whilst 



AN OLD STORY. 18o 

The elements bowed low when passing 

he 
Amidst their serial palaces, as was 
His wont. Nor could his will withstand 

the strain 
To curse the Maker of this teemino* 

sphere 
Because he saw what loss was his. As 

each 
Was passed in turn, and now would 

give no sign 
Of former friendship. Spirits he had 

charmed 
Refused to sing their songs, — all mute 

as death. 
The winds, that formerly did kiss his 

cheek 
And close around him cling, in moan- 

ings sad, 
Gave vent to sorrow and to fear, to see 
Their former king so laden down with 

shame. 
The skies that loved to light his path 

are filled 



186 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

With tears, and let the Darkness take 

their light ; 
Till he in blinding madness seized upon 
The swelling mounds of land and hurled 

them out 
Across the barren lea. Then upward 

strode 
Upon the storm-puffed clouds to seek 

the way 
Forever lost, — his fury gaining pace 
With ev'ry step, until the lightning bolts 
Forth from his burning eyes the dark- 
ness pierced. 
Loud groans, and cries of desperation 

came 
With each emotion of his soul, as 

though 
The thunders of Olympus broke their 

chains 
To scatter desolation everywhere. 
In bold defiance called he on the hosts 
Of God, to charge with him and seize 

the place. 
No answer came to bring relief to him 



AN OLD STORY. 187 

In anxious mood. And then he knew 

full well 
The friends, who once essayed to give 

him help — 
In horrible distress — were useless now. 
And rather looked to him to bring then 

aid 
From tortures he had, through decep- 
tion, brought 
To them. Revenge, the only faculty 
That guided him, suggested that he 

seek 
A garden spot whereon the King had 

placed 
New friends to live, and learn and 

serve and love. 
And there he might regain the pow'r 

he lost. 
If not it all, at least the greater part, 
Which done, he could once more defy 

the chief 
So puissant, — tell him that : " As 

Michael, he 
Might fear the tempter as a foe unbent. 



188 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

Who would not rest until the firmament 
Was torn, that shut hhn from his 

former home." 
Thus thinking, towards a far-off shaded 

spot 
He sped his maddened soul in greatest 

haste. 

II. 

HAPPINESS. 

Amidst the pomegranate trees, amidst 
The choicest fruits, and herbs, and 

plants, and flowers, 
Surrounded by the noblest mounds of 

land 
And gladdened more by waters sweet 

to drink. 
The new friends lived in innocence and 

peace. 
Each day beside the Euphrates, they 

spent 
The happiest portion listening to Him 
They called their " Rabba," filling up 

their minds 



AN OLD STORY. 189 

With choicest morsels of the law 

divine. 
And not as other mortals ever feel 
The dragging wheels of time in spend- 
ing out 
Their lives. Each year served as a unit 

made 
To hold their crowded joys, present and 

past. 
Communion made them masters of the 

laws 
And secrets hidden deep, in Nature's 

girth. 
So that the others beings linked to them 
In Nature's bondage sought them out 

as kings ; 
Besides, as part of their inheritance. 
It was their right to know whatever 

might 
Concern the human welfare and to seek 
The fulness of such equity. Nowhere 
In all the broad domains of fertile lands 
Could fairer spot be found than that in 

which 



190 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

They livedo — and nowhere in the world 
created 

Seemed beauty centred with so much 
richness 

As was made manifest in their per- 
sons. 

The day enraptured, — Hngered long to 
light 

Their happy footsteps as they moved 
from place 

To place, and let no spot nor speck 
escape 

That might be lustred by its cheerful- 
ness. 

And when the night came stealing o'er 
the land. 

The philomel was lulling by its song, — 

The golden floods of farewell sunshine 
burst 

Their bonds ethereal in fretful strain 

To stay the gloomy mantel of the 
night. 

And when the day was gone, its rival 
came 



AN OLD STORY. 191 

To fascinate and charm as best it 
could ; 

With gentle sleep their eyelids touched, 
and winds 

From far off fragrant lands to capti- 
vate 

Their senses, while creation sang its 
songs 

Of love — the music of the heavenly 
spheres. 

Indeed ! the labors of the night were 
not 

In vain. 

III. 

THE TEMPTATION. 

But greatest joy of earthly bliss 
That came anon, was list'ning to the 

voice 
Of Him, they named their " Rabba " 

when he called 
To oifer them new gifts of happiness. 
Like children seeking names of things,- 

who run 



192 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

In breathless liaste, and petulance, wlio 

grasp 
The parent knee until then- mhicls are 

filled, 
So they, with thoughts perplexed 

sought interview 
Whenever, to them need of knowledge 

came. 
Their soul's metabasis as, oft com- 
plete 
As they, could in His Kingly presence 

stand. 
Protected, as they were, from all deceit, 
Their minds grew more responsive to 

His Will, 
And hence their home became their 

paradise. 
One limit only were they bound to 

keep ; 
So small injunction, they in happiness 
Rejoiced to full observe. A far off 

tree 
Remained to bear its fruit unnoticed. 

In 



AN OLD STORY. 193 

Obedience they would never dare to 

tempt 
The luscious yield it constantly dis- 
played. 
Afar beyond the massive peaks that 

pierced 
The firmament, the tempter posed to 

scan 
The cloistered home wherein the two 

friends lived. 
Though great the distance, saw he well, 

because 
No law of vision ever tied his will. 
Except the law that placed foundation 

in 
Eternity. When all was clear to him 
He sped, as swoops the eagle to 

devour 
Its prey, — in spiral course of headlong 

rush, 
But checked his eagerness when close 

to earth. 
Lest hastiness and judgment rash might 

spoil 
13 



194 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

The moment good to be revenged. — 

Close by 
The spot whereon " the tree of fate " 

had grown, 
He took his rest, but not until his 

form 
Assumed the reptile's skin. Then 

waited he 
Until the two friends came to interview 
Their many subjects, who with joyous- 

ness 
Each day flocked round, and called the 

stronger friend 
Their Adam, and his mate was their 

Lilith. 
And she as true to daily custom spoke 
In language full of unction, as she 

moved 
And nearer came to that place where 

her pets 
Flocked round ; — nor did she in her 

faith suspect 
The deep plot formed to catch her 

trusting heart : 



AN OLD STORY. 195 

So slyly did the tempter's words per- 
vade 

Her mind; a spell that might be 
called, in name 

" Oblivion/' made it appear no crime 

To taste the fruit forbidden ; then to 
seek 

Her love and proffer him a share. For- 
sooth, 

So lasting strong and trusting had his 
faith 

Become, she needed no great argument 

To gain the acquiescence of his mind. 

IV. 

THE FALL AND PUNISHMENT. 

At once his eager hand reached forth 
and took 

The gracious off'ring. When to his 
dismay 

And horror, scarcely had he full en- 
joyed 

The humble pleasure, all his nature 
changed. 



196 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

A new condition of the Soul his form 
Enwrapped, and did his being so op- 
press. 
That streams of perspiration trickled 

down 
His limbs, all trembling, while his breath 

in gasps 
Betrayed an anguish never felt before. 
So powerful was fear within his soul 
He dared not speak. Then looked he 

towards Lilith 
And saw a shamefaced wretch alike to 

him. 
Above, below, around, strange voices 

hissed 
And spoke in tones that startled them 

until 
They hide, lest to their friends the birds, 

the beasts, 
The reptiles, all the moving, sentient 

things. 
Their shame be known. And yet the 

deepest gloom 
No solace gives to drive away the light 



AN OLD STORY. 197 

Of conscience burning both with fiercest 
flame. 

Their fleeing forms are soon within the 
maze 

Of deepest foliage and brush, which 
lash 

And tear their skins until, from burn- 
ing wounds 

And bleeding limbs they halt. — Again, 
they fear 

Still greater woe, as list they both to 
sounds 

Of voices moaning dirges in such strains 

Of sadness that they fall upon the 
earth. 

And weep from desolation of the soul. 

Repentance too, doth fill their anguished 
hearts. 

So much so, that they beg " The Mas- 
ter " come. 

And take revenge. — They scarce had 
made the wish 

When ev'ry fibre in them seemed to 
strain 



198 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

To listen to the voice they knew so 

well. 
It was their King, Who, in majestic 

tones 
Gave warning. He was come to them. 

And now. 
Would take away the happiness, the 

love. 
And innocence o£ former times, to leave 
Them only labors, trials, sorrows, till 
He called them finally. They hear in 

shame 
Their loss through act of perfidy, of 

life 
So sweet, and leave the place with hope 

alone 
To cheer them on ; for He had promised 

them 
To take revenge upon the serpent vile, 
And at some future day to give them 

hack 
The joy of seeing Him again, — but not 
Until His words prophetic came to pass. 
So as they fled into the barren lands. 



AN OLD STORY. 109 

They call to memory all the words they 

heard. 
Once more the tempter takes his place 

beside 
The burdened pair: — who look upon 

his form 
To hate him in their inmost hearts ; 

they call 
To him, " Begone ! and never seek us 

more, 
For such deception cannot be con- 
doned," 
Aud lo, an angel stood with flaming 

sword 
When backward glanced their eyes to 

where they last 
Beheld the tempter. — They would fain 

return 
But something in his awful majesty 
Seemed to forbid, so on and on they fled, 
His words portentous ringing in their 

ears. — 
" From north to south, shall shift your 

tents, from east. 



200 CARMINA SACERDOTIS. 

To west, obedient to tlie winds and 

waves ; 
In flocks, and groups, in tribes and 

nations shall 
Your children interchange through 

coming years. 
From warings, pestilences, famines, all. 
You will be victims of the reaper 

" Death:' 
His law reactins: full against the fruit 
Of His decree — "To multiply and be 
As many as the sands of sea." You 

seed 
Shall never fail to know the parents' 

wrono* 
Until the last day fail to see its sun. 

THE END. 



015 907 213 



